A man who filmed a pet dog giving Nazi salutes and posted the footage online has been fined £800. Mark Meechan, 30, recorded his partner's pug responding to phrases such as 'gas the Jews' and 'sieg heil' by raising its paw, then uploaded the video to YouTube in April 2016.
He was found guilty of posting material that was 'grossly offensive' and 'antisemitic and racist in nature' under the Communications Act, with the offence aggravated by religious prejudice, following a trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court. Sheriff Derek O'Carroll said the video was grossly offensive and noted that Meechan's girlfriend did not even subscribe to the channel.
Meechan claimed he made the video as a joke to annoy his partner and raised issues about freedom of speech. Speaking outside court, he said the decision set a dangerous precedent. Dozens of supporters, including former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, attended the hearing.
Sheriff O'Carroll stated: 'The centrepiece of your video consists of you repeating the phrase 'gas the Jews' over and over again as a command to a dog, which then reacts. You use the command 'sieg heil', having trained the dog to raise its paw in response.' He added that while freedom of expression is important, 'in all modern democratic countries, the law necessarily places some limits on that right.'
